Sydenham, Christchurch

Win a brand new home!

Win a brand new home!

For just $15, you could win a fully furnished home in Clarks Beach, Auckland worth over $1 million. Buy your tickets today!

724 days ago

Respite care when you need it

Essie Summers Retirement Village

Respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances. From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support – whether it’s for a single night or a few weeks.

A short stay at our care centre could be a welcome break from your usual routine.

We offer respite care … View more
Respite care provides temporary care in a range of circumstances. From rehabilitation after a hospital stay, to a little extra support – whether it’s for a single night or a few weeks.

A short stay at our care centre could be a welcome break from your usual routine.

We offer respite care at resthome-level and in most villages' hospital and specialist dementia-level care.

What you can expect:
- Customised care via our award-winning myRyman Care app
- Bespoke seasonal menu, that's prepared fresh on site
- A variety of activities and outings, making it easy to stay connected with others.

We've been caring for people for over 35 years, it's what we do best.

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725 days ago

The Must-Give Christmas Gift!

Christmas Box

Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.

We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, … View more
Meeting an ever-increasing need in our communities, Christmas Box provides more than just food in a time of need, it also brings a reminder that there is a community of people who care.

We believe by alleviating some of the pressure that families feel at Christmas time through our food parcels, it will create a lasting impact that goes beyond a treat at Christmas.

For only $40 you can donate a Christmas Box to a family in need, providing not just practical help, but much deserved hope too.
Find out more

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725 days ago

Lots of goodies in store now

The Team from Red Cross Shop Woolston

Hi everyone
It’s been a busy time so we’ve restocked our racks and shelves. We have loads of new toys and books, new furniture, preloved clothes, shoes, handbags and our $1, $2 and clearance racks are loaded to the max. Plenty of gift options too.
Open 7 days 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday - Friday,… View more
Hi everyone
It’s been a busy time so we’ve restocked our racks and shelves. We have loads of new toys and books, new furniture, preloved clothes, shoes, handbags and our $1, $2 and clearance racks are loaded to the max. Plenty of gift options too.
Open 7 days 9.00am - 5.00pm, Monday - Friday, Saturday 10.00am - 4.00pm, Sunday 10.00am - 3.00pm
683 Ferry Road, behind Domino’s

734 days ago

Hands off city streets, says business group as mayor backtracks

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

By reporter Liz McDonald:

A who’s who of Christchurch property and business owners have joined forces to fight a $33 million revamp of central city streets, as the mayor backtracks on his opposition.

The group says the proposal, which is open for public feedback until next week, contains … View more
By reporter Liz McDonald:

A who’s who of Christchurch property and business owners have joined forces to fight a $33 million revamp of central city streets, as the mayor backtracks on his opposition.

The group says the proposal, which is open for public feedback until next week, contains unworkable aspects and ignores the needs of businesses.

The city council last month agreed to push ahead with planning to redevelop the streets around stadium Te Kaha, which is due to open in 2026. The aim is to create pedestrian and entertainment spaces.

Work would include switching some streets to one-way, removing car parks, widening footpaths to make way for outdoor dining, planting trees, lowering speed limits, and installing $11m of new underground services for the stadium.



Central Government is expected to pick up half the $22m bill for the roading changes, which will affect Lichfield, Madras, Tuam and Barbadoes streets. The remaining $11m is for underground water infrastructure.


Mayor Phil Mauger said pre-election he was “not happy” about the programme and the money should go into stadium construction, but this week he said he was now seeing it differently.

He said the underground water structure was essential, as there was “no use having a stadium with 200 toilets and not enough pipes to take it away”.


The other $11m for the council to fund would be paid over four years. “It’s still a lot of money, but it’s slightly more digestable.” He still wanted to look for savings, he said.

The private operators speaking out in opposition are property developers and landlords Antony Gough, Philip Carter and Shaun Stockman, Central Christchurch Business Association head Annabel Turley, business owners Anne Kennett and Craig Freeman, and property managers Nicki Carter, Kerrie Bloomfield and Tim Hunt.

Gough, who developed and owns The Terrace hospitality precinct around Oxford Tce, said the plan was “sheer lunacy” and would strangle the city centre.

The council seemed to have “a very poor understanding” of what businesses need, he said.

Central City Business Association chairperson and pharmacy owner Annabel Turley said widening Lichfield St footpaths to 6m was “not needed”.

“This is in an area where the cold easterly wind blows often... Christchurch already has well planned areas for pedestrians and outdoor dining.”


Philip Carter, developer and landlord of The Crossing, said he and others had invested millions in the city and their developments attracted locals and visitors.

“But now the council wants to choke the CBD and make it even harder for shoppers, workers, tourists and central city residents to access and move around,” he said.


Fellow developer Shaun Stockman said a fair balance was needed, and while some aspects of the proposal were viable, others were “simply unworkable”.


“We don’t necessarily reject all the council plans in their entirety.”

Stockman said underground infrastructure was “an absolute must”, but much of the plan showed council staff were not at the coalface and lacked understanding of how people moved around the city.

He said he and other developers had followed the post-quake blueprint and created hospitality precincts in sheltered laneways, not on main streets, with the exception of Oxford Tce, which faces the river.



In a tweet last month, councillor Sara Templeton shared before and after pictures of the redeveloped Oxford Tce next to Riverside.

Alongside are a photo of Lichfield St and the council’s plan for that block, with Templeton commenting that Te Kaha would shelter the area and it would become “a great place to be”.

Picnic tables under trees would replace 22 car parks, and there would be “good off-street parking nearby”, she said.


Following the election last month council staff paused work on the Te Kaha streets plan in the face of the mayoral opposition. After a staff briefing, the new council restarted it and agreed to extend public consultation until November 30.

Council staff will then consider the submissions, make changes if needed, and make a recommendation to the council’s hearings panel.

The panel will meet early next year and make a recommendation to the council for a final decision.

725 days ago

Public meeting on Housing Crisis Dec 12 2022

Jonathan from Woolston

State House Action Network is holding a public meeting on the housing crisis at the Transitional Cathedral, 234 Hereford st on Monday December 12 at 7pm. For more info, see the flyer photos below.

726 days ago

Kaden 's Project K Story

The Team from Graeme Dingle Foundation Canterbury

Listening to our award winners speak at our National Excellence Awards in November, we were inspired by our young people and how they are open to new opportunities since going through our programmes.

Kaden developed a 'give-it-ago' attitude during his Wilderness Adventure when one of … View more
Listening to our award winners speak at our National Excellence Awards in November, we were inspired by our young people and how they are open to new opportunities since going through our programmes.

Kaden developed a 'give-it-ago' attitude during his Wilderness Adventure when one of his friends introduced him to Chess. Having never played before, Kaden kept practicing with his new friend, decided to enter a tournament for fun and ended up winning! An awesome accomplishment.

Learn more about Project K and Kaden's experience by reading his story through the link below.

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726 days ago

Whareora Community House

Jane Hill from Whareora Community House - Barrington

Would you like to know more about Whareora Community House? Visit our Information Desk at Barrington Mall on Tuesday 6 December (near the Rotunda entrance). Our Volunteers will be there from 10am-4pm and will be happy to talk to you about our Activities Programme, Volunteering in our Opportunity … View moreWould you like to know more about Whareora Community House? Visit our Information Desk at Barrington Mall on Tuesday 6 December (near the Rotunda entrance). Our Volunteers will be there from 10am-4pm and will be happy to talk to you about our Activities Programme, Volunteering in our Opportunity Shop, and our Lounge Room for Hire. Newsletters will also be available to take away. We look forward to seeing you then…..

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733 days ago

Christchurch mayor says keeping rate rise to promised 4% will be 'very challenging'

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from The Press

From reporter Steven Walton:

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says achieving an election promise of keeping rates low will be “very challenging” in a difficult global environment of high inflation and rising interest rates.

His comments come as councillors begin work on next year’s … View more
From reporter Steven Walton:

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger says achieving an election promise of keeping rates low will be “very challenging” in a difficult global environment of high inflation and rising interest rates.

His comments come as councillors begin work on next year’s Christchurch City Council budget.

Councillors have been briefed about it twice behind closed doors, and it is expected that a public briefing will be held before the end of the year.

Mauger, who was elected last month, campaigned on keeping rates affordable. He has indicated that he wanted annual rises set between 3 and 4%.

Asked last week if that was still achievable, Mauger joked, “Haven’t you got any other questions you can ask me”, before adding: “It is going to be challenging, that’s going to be very challenging because of what’s happening globally.”


The council was under “lots of pressure” from inflation and interest rates, Mauger said.

Annual inflation hit 7.2% back last month while interest rates are expected to rise with the Reserve Bank raising the official cash rate by a record amount last week.

The council has already faced cost increases this year on three large projects: the Te Kaha stadium (an extra $150 million), the Court Theatre (an extra $16m) and the Hornby pool, library and service centre (the overrun amount has not been released publicly).


Mauger said at a public meeting last week the council had to cut its cloth because it was “heading into a bit of strife”.

Earlier this month, councillors were given an “indicative range” for next year’s rate rises – understood to be between 12 and 14% – but this is simply a starting point that will change as it does not account for any changes to deal with inflation and rising interest rates.

“This was in essence a risk check for the council to show the potential impact of these external factors on our operations,” said Leah Scales, the council’s resources general manager and chief financial officer.

Clearer indications of potential rate increases would be released during upcoming public briefings and consultation, she said.


Mauger said he expected work on a “line-by-line” review of the council’s budget to start before Christmas.

“In the past we might’ve done 10 things for a million dollars, now we’re going to do seven and we’ve got to decide very carefully which three dip out.”

Those decisions would involve staff advice and councillors voting, he said.


“I can’t give you any examples because I haven’t seen the line-by-line yet, but there will be things on [the budget] and you go ‘is that totally necessary at the moment?'”


Mauger said things would not get to a point where, for examples, libraries would be shut. He also said: “If it’s an absolutely knackered sewer pipe, you’ve got to fix it.”

Instead, he wanted to cut out the nice-to-haves and suggested a planned upgrade for Gloucester St as an example.

“Say we go into a recession, we can still drive down that road now. They’re the sort of things that you’ve got to say, ‘let’s be a bit careful’,” he said.


At a council meeting last week, Mauger also pushed to reconsider the timing of a $6.2m upgrade to Addington Brook – a stream that runs through South Hagley Park.

Another project on his radar was a $33m makeover to roads around the stadium, but he said last week he was now looking at it differently.

Some work was underground infrastructure and could not be delayed, while the Government was also likely to contribute $11m, he said.

“It’s still a lot of money, but it’s slightly more digestable,” he said.

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732 days ago

Poll: Are you able to get help with your health when needed?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.

The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled … View more
A report has shown that clinics around New Zealand are understaffed, with GP's being overworked and underpaid. And for everyday kiwis, healthcare and emergency healthcare is simply not accessible.

The General Practice Owners Association of Aotearoa's report titled ‘‘On The Brink’’ outlines the urgent need to address pay parity for GP nurses and doctors, beef up workforce numbers and improve funding allocations for practices with the hopes that this makes heatlhcare more accessible in the community.

Are you noticing delays in getting GP appointments or long waits at after-hours care?

Any comments below may be shared in your local paper's We Say You Say column.

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Are you able to get help with your health when needed?
  • 46.2% Wait times are too long - It's unacceptable.
    46.2% Complete
  • 30.8% I can get the help I need, it just takes longer.
    30.8% Complete
  • 7.7% I haven't noticed an issue.
    7.7% Complete
  • 15.3% I'm happy; I have no complaints.
    15.3% Complete
3445 votes
M
728 days ago

WANTED Labrador, female, wanted to adopt for forever home

melanie from Somerfield

Hi. I am wanting a non dominant female Labrador to adopt as a companion dog. Age around 3-5 years would be wonderful . I have adopted 3 Labradors, one at a time over the years and ready for my next Labrador to join me. She will be very loved and cared for and as I am semi retired, she will have my … View moreHi. I am wanting a non dominant female Labrador to adopt as a companion dog. Age around 3-5 years would be wonderful . I have adopted 3 Labradors, one at a time over the years and ready for my next Labrador to join me. She will be very loved and cared for and as I am semi retired, she will have my full attention. Do you have a Labrador that needs a loving home? ph Melanie 0273586596

728 days ago

REMINDER!

Alan from Beckenham

You and yours are invited to share the joy of Christmas (yes it is just around the corner!) at the open home of Sue and Alan. Again this year the chosen charity is Good night sleep tight charitable Trust. We will be open Sat Dec 3rd & Sun the 4th, 10am - 4pm. Please gather up your friends and … View moreYou and yours are invited to share the joy of Christmas (yes it is just around the corner!) at the open home of Sue and Alan. Again this year the chosen charity is Good night sleep tight charitable Trust. We will be open Sat Dec 3rd & Sun the 4th, 10am - 4pm. Please gather up your friends and family and visit us at 49 Malcom Ave in Beckenham to enjoy this wonderful event. Entry is just $5 per adult, children free. All proceeds to the the chosen charity. Look forward to seeing you! Many thanks!

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729 days ago

How to make your own Christmas terrarium

Resene

How to make your own Christmas terrarium painted in Resene.

Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.
Find out more

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729 days ago

Repaint a doll's bed

The Team from Resene ColorShop Lichfield Street

Breathe new life into an old children’s toy with a fun new look using only Resene testpots! Find out how to create your own.

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729 days ago

Carpark Sale

The Team from Red Cross Store Manchester St

Hey everybody the rain is set to clear ready for our Christmas Extravaganza tonight 6-8pm. We will have a sausage sizzle and a carpark sale all items in the carpark will be $2!!!!! Eek!

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730 days ago

Addictive Eaters Anonymous

The Team from Addictive Eaters Anonymous - Christchurch

A progressive disease
I wasn’t an overweight child, but from as young as 5 years I can recall comparing myself unfavourably with two painfully thin twins in my dance class and thinking that was what I was supposed to look like. I’m not sure how I got the idea that I should be very thin.

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